Chelsea Transfer News and Rumours Monday 27 May

Malouda Out – Essien Back

Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda is out of contract at the end of next month but reports over the weekend claim he is an unlikely-sounding target for Serie A champions Juventus.

Malouda was linked extensively last summer with Brazilian clubs Santos, Vasco da Gama and Botafogo and was said to be keen to move to Brazil as his wife is from that country. However, his £45,000-a-week wage demands were a problem for all three Brazilian clubs and after the prospects of a move collapsed things worsened for Malouda. He was banished before Christmas to train with the under-21s and wasn’t picked for the first-team at all last season.

“I had a problem to sort out with certain people. It’s done. Now, I’m free,” he told The Sun.

“I’m going to be able to play again next season and I cannot wait. I’ve been preparing all year long. I’ll be back next season.”

His old club in France, Lyon, are said to be keen, but according to Itasportpress in Italy Juventus were keen last year and are still following him but it remains to be seen whether they would still be interested in signing the 32-year-old.Chief executive Beppe Marotta is anxious to avoid a repeat of the scenario he found himself in with Nicolas Anelka, a highly-paid player who moved to Juve on loan from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua in January but who has made just three substitute appearances in the meantime.

One player who could be on his way back to Chelsea is Michael Essien. The 30-year-old midfielder has been on loan at Real Madrid this season but says he expects to move back to Stamford Bridge with Jose Mourinho. The Ghana international has one year left on his current deal with the club.